7 replies so far

I think almost any drill press would work for me. They all need some sort of an auxiliary table for woodworking. I have the Ridgid, but would have been satisfied with the Jet, Porter Cable, Grizzly etc.

To me it’s a pretty basic tool, but essential in the woodshop.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

I don’t see the advantage of a radial, especially for woodworking, but thats JMHO. I have the Grizzly 7944 Floor Standing DP and like it quite a bit. However, if I were buying a new DP today, I’d be hard pressed to choose anything over the Porter Cable that Nitewalker mentioned. Lowes sells it for ~$300. Given the quality and features, I think its the best DP on the market under $600. I’d go that route if I were you. The 4” stroke is the best in its class.

The Grizzly is identical to what used to be a radial drill press that Harbor Freight sold. They discontinued it years ago, but Grizzly picked it up. I know because I bought one in 2000 for $125. It is exact save I have a square table and mine is painted black with the usual Central Machinery labels on it.

Here’s the good news, if you need to make a reasonably angled hole, and put a decent table on the silly round table it will shine. It is a wonder to have multiple angles available to you.

The bad news is it flexes ever so slightly. You really have to watch if you have the arm out, at maybe a 30’ angle, trying to drill maple or oak. Last time I used it was to drill 15’ angles in a jewelry box top to insert ring holders at a Jetson-like angle. Worked like a charm.It is a useful item in my shop, and it sits right next to my Porter Cable that I bought from Lowes and use MUCH more often.